What is a patient-centered medical home (PCMH)?

The patient-centered medical home or PCMH (sometimes referred to as medical home, or advanced primary care) is an innovation in health care delivery designed to improve patient experience, improve population health, and reduce the cost of care.

Although its origins date back to 1967 (in pediatrics), the medical home concept has grown over the past decade, with nearly 500 public and private sector PCMH initiatives being tracked across the United States.

The five core attributes of the PCMH as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality are:

• Patient-centered: The PCMH supports patients in learning to manage and organize their own care based on their preferences, and ensures that patients, families, and caregivers are fully included in the development of their care plans. It also encourages them to participate in quality improvement, research, and health policy efforts.
• Comprehensive: The PCMH offers whole-person care from a team of providers that is accountable for the patient’s physical and behavioral/mental health needs, including prevention and wellness, acute care, and chronic care.

• Coordinated: The PCMH ensures that care is organized across all elements of the broader health care system, including specialty care, hospitals, home health care, community services, and long-term care supports.
• Accessible: The PCMH delivers accessible services with shorter waiting times, enhanced in-person hours, 24/7 electronic or telephone access, and alternative methods of communication through health information technology (HIT).
• Committed to Quality and Safety: The PCMH demonstrates commitment to quality improvement and the use of data and health information technology (HIT) and other tools to assist patients and families in making informed decisions about their health.